A community health nurse is working in a homeless shelter during a pandemic. The nurse should identify which of the following situations as an ethical dilemma?
Deciding when to transport residents who are symptomatic to an urgent care center
Deciding which workers will wear the limited personal protective equipment available
Determining the arrangement of residents within the shelter to prevent spread of infection
Determining how to keep meals warm when serving each of the homeless shelter residents
The Correct Answer is B
A. Deciding when to transport residents who are symptomatic to an urgent care center: This decision involves clinical judgment and prioritization based on symptoms and urgency. While challenging, it follows standard nursing protocols and is not typically considered an ethical dilemma unless resources are severely limited.
B. Deciding which workers will wear the limited personal protective equipment available: This presents an ethical dilemma because the nurse must balance staff safety, fairness, and duty to care amid limited resources. The difficult decision may place some staff at greater risk, raising concerns about justice, equity, and ethical responsibility.
C. Determining the arrangement of residents within the shelter to prevent spread of infection: While this requires logistical planning and public health knowledge, it generally does not involve conflicting moral principles. The focus is on infection control and best practices for spatial distancing to reduce disease transmission.
D. Determining how to keep meals warm when serving each of the homeless shelter residents: This is a practical challenge involving meal service logistics and client satisfaction but does not involve conflicting ethical principles or significant risks to health or well-being.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Refer coworkers who might have been exposed to a provider for prophylactic antibiotics: Anthrax exposure can be fatal if not treated early. Public health protocols recommend prophylactic antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for those potentially exposed. Timely referral helps prevent the onset of disease.
B. Place the employee under quarantine for 14 days: Quarantine is typically used for contagious diseases that spread person to person, such as COVID-19 or influenza. Anthrax is not spread between individuals, so quarantining an exposed person is unnecessary and not a standard public health measure for this pathogen.
C. Alert the family members of coworkers about their possible exposure to anthrax: Because anthrax does not spread from person to person, there is no need to notify family members of potential exposure. Such an action could cause unnecessary alarm and would not contribute to effective disease control or prevention.
D. Instruct the client to wear a mask at work: Wearing a mask does not prevent the progression of anthrax in an exposed individual nor does it protect others, as anthrax is not contagious between humans. This measure would not address the exposure risk or help in disease managemet.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Identify the client's spoken dialect: Knowing the specific dialect is important for selecting an appropriate interpreter, but this should be done after securing access to interpretation services. It is a secondary step following the identification of the communication barrier.
B. Document the use of the interpreter: Documentation is a necessary legal and clinical step after care has been provided. It confirms communication occurred appropriately but is not the first priority when initiating communication.
C. Talk directly to the client: While it is respectful and essential to engage with the client directly once interpretation is arranged, doing so without an interpreter risks miscommunication and may compromise informed consent and care quality.
D. Contact a qualified medical interpreter: The first action is to ensure accurate communication by accessing a trained medical interpreter. This ensures the client receives information in a language they understand, which is critical for safe and effective care.
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